The Heart of Chao Du

This is a record of an interview with Venerable Yongning, who reflects on the profound nature of Chao Du and the obstacles of the material world. This interview was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin, on May 29, 2019.

Venerable Yongning speaks:

"Namo Amituofo. In the secular world, whenever people speak of money, they always deliberate time and time again. Without money, one feels that nothing can be accomplished; yet, even when one has money, one must be extremely careful about how it is spent. This is simply the nature of human beings. Greed, the desire for possession, and the feeling that 'this belongs to me'—these things make people particularly attached, and they are not easily let go. For people in this world, money is a symbol of security. If one is particularly wealthy, their social status is often perceived as higher, and they are more easily shown respect. However, much of this respect is not genuine; it is often hollow and insincere.

Money is merely an external object, yet the vast majority of people spend their entire lives toiling and rushing about for the sake of it. Achievement and wealth are seen as companions, and this sense of security is the result of a lifetime of blood, sweat, and tears. But think about it—when the time comes to face illness, what can money actually do for you? The greedy heart only serves to attract all sorts of karmic creditors. When did we start measuring everything by money? We use it to measure character, to measure the attitude one should have toward others. When you speak of it this way, it is truly tragic and pitiful. It is quite clear that we are all drifting and sinking in the great waves of samsara without even realising it."

The Inescapable Script of Fate

"The price we pay for this obsession is something we cannot escape. We are bound by the arrangements of our destiny. The script of our fate is written, and not a single detail can be altered. Our karma remains, and the cycle of birth and death continues unabated. How many people are there who, like Practitioner Su, can see through this? Practitioner Su has given away past wealth, yet still possesses everything. There is no anxiety about losing anything, and even when there is nothing, there is still total freedom and ease.

Many of you will likely try to find excuses for yourselves, thinking, 'My situation is different; I really cannot do it right now.' In truth, you do not realise that the Buddha’s teachings you have encountered today are the only things that can truly save your life. Practitioner Su is vigorously bearing the burden of the Dharma for all beings, taking on the suffering of beings on their behalf. You, too, should take responsibility for your own beings. You must put aside the secular perspective when viewing the Buddha’s teachings. You must truly understand where the significance of helping the Dharma grow lies, and ask yourself: who else can save your deceased family members and loved ones?"

The Only Path to Deliverance

"Practitioner Su is the only person in the universe who can help everyone achieve rebirth in the Western Pure Land. Today, Practitioner Su’s feet are once again covered in exhaustion because of the work of Chao Du, or simply because of the desire to save all of you. When someone who has no relation to you is willing to sacrifice so much for your sake, how can you bear to remain indifferent? Or are you going to find yet another excuse, allowing the beings you have owed throughout your many lives to continue waiting in the darkness?

The heart of Chao Du, the sincerity of Chao Du—this is what you must bring forth. Put aside all your worldly perspectives, seize the opportunity before you, and achieve the future, so that the future may be achieved. Namo Amituofo."

This interview message was recorded by the chief writer, Shi Faxin.